Periodic Reporting for period 3 - ReCreate (Reusing precast concrete for a circular economy)
Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-09-30
Concrete is the most significant construction material and C&D waste stream globally and in the EU. ReCreate aims at closing the loop for concrete at the highest level of utilization by demonstrating the deconstruction and reuse of precast structural components, which retains the secondary material at its highest value. Compared to virgin production, aggregate recycling and backfilling, reusing can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by 93-98%. The main objective is to pilot deconstruction and reuse towards maturity as a socio-technical system. The project develops the transition towards circular construction by investigating the systemic changes needed in the whole ecosystems of construction and demolition. Drawing from partnerships that cover the entire value chain, ReCreate will demonstrate deconstruction of intact precast components from condemned buildings and reuse thereof in new buildings in four real-life innovative pilots. The pilots examine the challenge of circularity against the feature of the industry being relatively local, taking into account differences in precasting technologies, building types, construction industry structures and regulatory environments in the different countries. To develop technology and integrate the value chain so that the businesses can become viable, the project advances smart pre-deconstruction audit and deconstruction methods; rapid low-cost quality assurance and standardization; logistics, traceability, and BIM and digital market place integration; and novel design practices and reassembly techniques. In addition ReCreate analyses the potential volume of the supply and demand for secondary concrete components in the EU; reviews how concrete reuse can help the EU to reach its ambitious energy and climate targets for 2030; investigates how secondary components can become socially acceptable for relevant stakeholders and citizens; and elaborates on the changes needed to the regulatory environment to support reuse.
WP1: Analysis of precast concrete systems
Studying precast systems in 11 EU countries (FI, SE, NL, DE, EE, LV, LT, PL, CZ, RO, BG) has resulted in deliverables on 1) A digital map of the systems (D1.1); 2) Diagrams of building, component and connector typologies (D1.2); 3) A taxonomy for precast concrete (D1.3); and 4) A database of elements, with guidelines (D1.4).
WP2: Deconstruction
Salvaged elements have been obtained from 6 deconstructed donor buildings. Learnings on safer, faster and less costly deconstruction producing high quality components was acquired that was documented in deliverables and transferred to WPs 6 and 7 for further analysis.
WP3: Logistics and processing
The framework of effective data storage and exchange of BIM models and other data is published (D3.1) and in use in various digital workflows throughout the project, including the capture and analysis of data from the quality assurance processes. The technical options for the tagging of elements for smart logistics and different techniques for elements' refurbishment have been explored, tested and used.
WP4: Quality management
In-situ and laboratory testing in the pilots has resulted in best practice recommendations for the quality management process in precast concrete reuse (D4.3).
WP5: Redesign and reassembly
Design and preparation of reuse pilots has progressed. Every piloting country has implemented at least mock-ups (a mock-up in NL, a test pavilion in DE, two mini-pilots in FI, the SE main pilot). Main pilots in NL, DE and FI will be implemented in 2026.
WP6: Potential to reach energy and climate targets
An online tool for environmental impact evaluation has been delivered (D6.4) and an assessment of the contribution of element reuse to EU and national sustainability goals (D6.2) is almost ready. Data collection and analysis continues; some of it relies on the progress of the pilots.
WP7: Exploitation, business model development and business case
Business model aspects of reusing precast concrete components have been studied through the pilot projects. Research interviews and ethnographic observation have been conducted. Two deliverables and several scientific papers have been published. The work culminates in the last RP with reuse pilots and deliverables with conclusions will be delivered.
WP8: Policy support and social acceptability
Legal and policy work has resulted in 1) an analysis of the current legal framework in the EU and the piloting countries (D8.2) and 2) an analysis of the implementation of the aforementioned norms in practice during the pilots (D8.3). The SSH research on social acceptability has contributed 1) a guide for coalition building in circular construction projects (D8.1) 2) an analysis on work process changes (D8.4) and a roadmap of educational needs (D8.5).
WP9: Communication and dissemination
Communication activities are continuously ongoing, and the achievements of the project are being regularly disseminated and communicated through the official channels of the ReCreate project, as well as through partners’ own channels. Communication & dissemination strategy is continuously adapted and expanded as the project is being executed. Engagement with stakeholders is regular. The project collaborated with the 2nd International Conference on Circularity in the Built Environment to co-organise CiBEn 2025.
Studying precast systems in 11 EU countries (FI, SE, NL, DE, EE, LV, LT, PL, CZ, RO, BG) has resulted in deliverables on 1) A digital map of the systems (D1.1); 2) Diagrams of building, component and connector typologies (D1.2); 3) A taxonomy for precast concrete (D1.3); and 4) A database of elements, with guidelines (D1.4).
WP2: Deconstruction
Salvaged elements have been obtained from 6 deconstructed donor buildings. Learnings on safer, faster and less costly deconstruction producing high quality components was acquired that was documented in deliverables and transferred to WPs 6 and 7 for further analysis.
WP3: Logistics and processing
The framework of effective data storage and exchange of BIM models and other data is published (D3.1) and in use in various digital workflows throughout the project, including the capture and analysis of data from the quality assurance processes. The technical options for the tagging of elements for smart logistics and different techniques for elements' refurbishment have been explored, tested and used.
WP4: Quality management
In-situ and laboratory testing in the pilots has resulted in best practice recommendations for the quality management process in precast concrete reuse (D4.3).
WP5: Redesign and reassembly
Design and preparation of reuse pilots has progressed. Every piloting country has implemented at least mock-ups (a mock-up in NL, a test pavilion in DE, two mini-pilots in FI, the SE main pilot). Main pilots in NL, DE and FI will be implemented in 2026.
WP6: Potential to reach energy and climate targets
An online tool for environmental impact evaluation has been delivered (D6.4) and an assessment of the contribution of element reuse to EU and national sustainability goals (D6.2) is almost ready. Data collection and analysis continues; some of it relies on the progress of the pilots.
WP7: Exploitation, business model development and business case
Business model aspects of reusing precast concrete components have been studied through the pilot projects. Research interviews and ethnographic observation have been conducted. Two deliverables and several scientific papers have been published. The work culminates in the last RP with reuse pilots and deliverables with conclusions will be delivered.
WP8: Policy support and social acceptability
Legal and policy work has resulted in 1) an analysis of the current legal framework in the EU and the piloting countries (D8.2) and 2) an analysis of the implementation of the aforementioned norms in practice during the pilots (D8.3). The SSH research on social acceptability has contributed 1) a guide for coalition building in circular construction projects (D8.1) 2) an analysis on work process changes (D8.4) and a roadmap of educational needs (D8.5).
WP9: Communication and dissemination
Communication activities are continuously ongoing, and the achievements of the project are being regularly disseminated and communicated through the official channels of the ReCreate project, as well as through partners’ own channels. Communication & dissemination strategy is continuously adapted and expanded as the project is being executed. Engagement with stakeholders is regular. The project collaborated with the 2nd International Conference on Circularity in the Built Environment to co-organise CiBEn 2025.
The ground-breaking objective beyond the state of the art is to explore how the socio-technical process of deconstruction and reuse can be matured, integrated and turned into a profitable business in different EU contexts.
Expected results until the end of the project: four real-life innovative pilots; business models and processes enabling economic value; profitability analyses; smart pre-demolition audit; building information model (BIM) and marketplace integration; novel deconstruction equipment; new dismantling, design and construction practices; novel safe deconstruction methods; novel quality-control methods; proposal to standardisation committees on quality assurance and product certification; precast concrete reusability handbook; supply and demand analysis; life-cycle analysis (LCA) over the value chain; roadmap to actions inducing and sustaining a reuse market; Open Data Access; proposal for RMIS supplementation; joint public-private articles in high-impact journals; scientific & professional conference presentations; and new learning contents.
Potential impacts: unlock un- or underexploited raw materials and improve circularity, closing material cycles; improving economic viability, market potential and value creation of deconstruction and reuse; improving health, safety and environmental performance; improve material and value recovery rate via wider application of smart deconstruction techniques and procedures; and pushing EU to the forefront of circular construction technology though generated know-how.
Expected results until the end of the project: four real-life innovative pilots; business models and processes enabling economic value; profitability analyses; smart pre-demolition audit; building information model (BIM) and marketplace integration; novel deconstruction equipment; new dismantling, design and construction practices; novel safe deconstruction methods; novel quality-control methods; proposal to standardisation committees on quality assurance and product certification; precast concrete reusability handbook; supply and demand analysis; life-cycle analysis (LCA) over the value chain; roadmap to actions inducing and sustaining a reuse market; Open Data Access; proposal for RMIS supplementation; joint public-private articles in high-impact journals; scientific & professional conference presentations; and new learning contents.
Potential impacts: unlock un- or underexploited raw materials and improve circularity, closing material cycles; improving economic viability, market potential and value creation of deconstruction and reuse; improving health, safety and environmental performance; improve material and value recovery rate via wider application of smart deconstruction techniques and procedures; and pushing EU to the forefront of circular construction technology though generated know-how.